The CRPD is the first legally-binding, international instrument to protect the human rights of people with disabilities.  It covers a wide range of issues, including the right of people with disabilities to participate in political and public life; to have access to educational, health, transportation, and other public services and public accommodations; the right to habilitation and rehabilitation services; the right to protection and services during humanitarian emergencies; and many more. 

Tanzania was among the first countries to sign the CRPD on March 30, 2007.  However, it has not yet joined the 26 countries that have ratified it so far.  Signing the CRPD signals interest in ratifying it in the future.  But countries are only legally obligated to obey the treaty after they ratify it.

Read more about Tanzania and the CRPD at http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/newe.php?id=4866

Learn more about the CRPD and how it is meant to help people with disabilities around the world.

Learn what YOU can do to help ensure that more countries (including YOURS!) sign, ratify, and implement the CRPD.

Countries that ratify the CRPD are required to create and enforce laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities and to abolish laws that violate these rights.  The CRPD covers a wide range of human rights, including the right to access habilitation and rehabilitation services; freedom from abuse and torture; the right to informed consent in medical treatment; the right to privacy; the right to live with their own families in the community (not an institution); and many more.

Australia has not yet ratified the CRPD.  But it was one of the first countries to sign the treaty on March 30 last year.  Signing the treaty does not legally bind a country to obey it, but it does signify interest in ratifying the agreement in the future.  Signatory countries also need to avoid taking any action that violates the spirit and intent of the international pact.

Read more about Australia’s comments on the CRPD at: http://7thspace.com/headlines/280340/government_welcomes_convention_on_disabilities.html

Learn more about CRPD and how it is meant to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities around the world.

Learn how YOU can become involved in the global campaign to persuade more countries to ratify and implement the CRPD–including yours!

India ratified the CRPD on November 1, 2007.   The CRPD, however, did not become legally binding until 30 days after the 20th nation (Ecuador) ratified the treaty earlier this year.  As of this writing, 26 countries have now ratified the first international, legally-binding human rights instrument to protect the rights of people with disabilities.

Countries that ratify the CRPD must implement it by creating laws to protect the rights of people with disabilities and by removing laws that violate these rights.

The CRPD protects a wide range of human rights, including freedom of expression and opinion; the right to access educational, health, transportation, and other public services and public accommodations; the right to vote; the right to access work and employment; and many more.

Read more about Meira Kumar’s comments on the CRPD at  http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/3353 and http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=133455 and at http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/05/stories/2008050555690900.htm

Learn more about the CRPD and how it is meant to help people with disabilities.

Learn about the many ways YOU can become involved in the global movement to ratify and implement the CRPD!

The CRPD is the first international, legally binding human rights instrument to protect the human rights of people with disabilities.  Most prior human rights instruments either did not address the unique concerns of people with disabilities or addressed disability through a medical or charity paradigm.  The CRPD covers a wide range of human rights including the right to receive assistance during humanitarian disasters; equal recognition before the law; the right to live independently and in the community; the right to participate in recreational and sports activities; and many more.

People with disabilities who believe their rights have been violated under the CRPD can first pursue redress (compenstation or amends) through the usual means for justice within their own countries.  However, if all domestic avenues fail, then people in countries that have ratified the Optional Protocol can bring a petition to the international Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  The Committee can investigate grave or recurring violations of the CRPD.

Learn more about the CRPD.

Learn more about the Optional Protocol.

If you’re in the United States, consider persuading your organization to sign a letter to US Congress.

Not in the United States?  Learn about the many ways YOU can become involved with the global campaign to ratify and implement the CRPD and Optional Protocol, in your country and elsewhere.

The CRPD, which entered into force earlier this month, is the first international, legally-binding human rights instrument to protect the rights of people with disabilities.  It covers a wide range of human rights, such as the right to marry and divorce and to share equally in child custody; the right to work and an adequate standard of living; the right to habilitation and rehabilitation; the right to sign contracts and own property; and many more.

Read more about ICBL’s comments on the CRPD at http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/ASAZ-7E9H9Z?OpenDocument

Learn more about the CRPD and how it is meant to help people with disabilities.

Find out if your country has signed or ratified the CRPD.

Canada’s national parliament has called upon their government to ratify and implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) as quickly as possible, the National Union of Public and General Employees has reported.  (Read their article, "Parliament gives UN Convention on Disabilities unamious support")

The CRPD, which entered into force earlier this month, is the first legally binding international human rights instrument to protect the rights of people with disabilities.  It covers a wide range of rights such as the right to own and inherit property; the right to informed consent in health services; the right to an education; the right to receive information in accessible formats (such as Braille or sign language interpretation); and more.

Canada has joined 129 countries around the world in signing the CRPD.  Signing an international treaty is a signal of interest in ratifying it in the future.  Of the signatory countries so far, 25 have gone on to ratify the agreement.  A country that ratifies the CRPD must create laws that protect the human rights of people with disabilities and abolish laws that violate these rights.

Read more about Canada’s parliament and the CRPD at http://www.nupge.ca/equality/no13-May02-08.htm

Learn more about the CRPD and how it is meant to help people with disabilities around the world.

The National Alliance of Disabled Peoples Organisations (Nadpo) in Bangladesh has urged their government to implement the new Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Daily Star has reported. (Read their story entitled "Call to implement UN convention that comes into effect today") (Also see the Bangladesh New Nation stories, "Call to implement rights of disabled" and "Call to ensure rights of disabled")

The CRPD, which entered into force on May 3, 2008, is the first international, legally-binding human rights instrument to protect the rights of people with disabilities.  Countries that ratify the treaty are required to protect a wide range of human rights for people with disabilities, such as their right to vote; to access education, health, transportation, and other public services; to participate in sports and recreational activities; respect for their physical and mental integrity; and more.

Bangladesh is one of 25 countries that have ratified the CRPD so far.  An additional 104 countries have signaled an official interest in ratifying the treaty in the future.  Countries that ratify the CRPD need to ensure that their national constitution and laws are written to be consistent with the spirit and intent of the disability rights agreement.  They also must take responsibility for enforcing these laws. 

According to the Daily Star, Nadpo has complained that the Bangladesh government has announced programs that they view as inconsistent with the CRPD.

Read more about Nadpo’s comments at http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=34795 and at http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/05/03/news0719.htm and at http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/05/03/news0746.htm

Read an earlier RatifyNow post about how a series of seminars helped to focus Bangladesh’s attention on the CRPD.

Learn more about the CRPD and how it is meant to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

The Leprosy Mission of England and Wales has declared that the global entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is "excellent news" for millions of people around the world with leprosy, Christian Today has reported.  (See their article, "Leprosy Mission Welcomes UN Convention on Disabled Rights")

Countries that ratify the CRPD are required to protect a wide range of human rights for people with disabilities including the ability to vote and participate in public and cultural life;  to live in the community (not an institution); to work; to procreate and obtain contraception; to receive information in accessible formats; and more. 

The United Kingdom has signed the CRPD, but has not yet ratified it. 

Read more about Leprosy Mission’s comments on the CRPD at http://www.christiantoday.com/article/leprosy.mission.welcomes.un.convention.on.disabled.rights/18518.htm

Learn more about the CRPD.

Read earlier RatifyNow posts about the United Kingdom and the CRPD, including:

Disability Charity Calls on UK to Ratify Disability Rights Treaty

and

CRPD Should Protect Woman with Intellectual Disabilities, Says UK Mental Welfare Commission.

Countries that ratify the CRPD, which entered into force on May 3, 2008, are now legally obligated to create laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities and abolish laws that violate these rights.  The CRPD is the first international, legally-binding human rights agreement to address the human rights needs of people with disabilities.  It covers a wide range of human rights such as the right to live in the community (not a nursing home or institution); the right to access education, health, transportation, and other public services and accommodations; the right to habilitation and rehabilitation services; the right to privacy; and many more.

Sri Lanka has signed the CRPD, which is a signal of interest in ratifying it in the future.  According to the Daily Mirror, Sri Lanka hopes to ratify the treaty possibly as early as September 2008.

Read the two news articles about Sri Lanka and the CRPD at http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=13620 and at http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items08/030508-4.html

Learn more about the CRPD.